Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: A True Festival
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It's not a funeral. This time, it's really a festival.
Seoul... no, all of Korea was plunged into a frenzy of excitement.
— Starting at 8 a.m. today, President Jo Won-hoon has declared the lifting of curfew for one week, along with unlimited supplies of gas, water, and electricity.
"Whoa, looks like our president is planning to really win over the public this time."
Honestly, if you think about it, this is what normal life should be like anyway.
The human heart is a strange thing. Even things we once enjoyed get taken away for a few years, and suddenly we're grateful just for them to be restored.
Try microwaving a piece of Schnell Chicken sometime. You'll wonder why you ever went crazy for those greasy, pepper-scented, overly salty chicken nuggets dripping with oil.
And get this—it only has 54% actual chicken content. Makes you wonder what the hell they fill the other half with.
"Check this out. People are calling it 'pats on the back' rights."
Han Sang-ah, who had come out to the bow to catch some sea breeze, fiddled with her phone and said.
Pats on the back, huh.
"Even if people are calling it 'pats on the back' rights, that doesn't mean they actually exist. Just take it as a simple 'you guys worked hard' kind of praise."
What pats on the back? The second word got out that they'd evaded even 5 million won in taxes, everyone would flip out and pounce like they'd been waiting for it.
"Then why use a word like that? Why not just say 'good job'?"
"It's just people picking up random phrases."
Think of it like saying "thank you so much!" over and over.
Same goes for all the vulgar abuse from strangers online—just interpret it as "I hate you!" and move on.
You can't take internet comments seriously.
No wonder some famous foreign video creator once said there are only two kinds of people online: those who think like me, and Hitler.
"Anyway, we don't have to worry about our standing for a while now."
"Oh, right, one more thing. Something you might've forgotten."
Han Sang-ah added as if it had just occurred to her.
"What is it?"
"The promise I made with my grandfather."
I let out a small "ah" at her words.
"I'd forget everything else before that."
It's the most important thing I have to do now that we're back in Korea.
The black ore.
Han Sang-ah's grandfather, Han Sang-cheol, must have gotten some meaningful results from the info we handed over.
"Remember that purple foam we saw right after smashing the Gonsalok?"
Han Sang-ah nodded at my words.
"It's connected to the black ore."
The black ore and that purple foam humans emitted felt similar in energy. Han Sang-ah's expression hardened at my words. She pondered for a moment, then spoke.
"So our next target is Club Shandai?"
I nodded, and her usually emotionless eyes lit up. Her fists were clenched tight, knuckles turning white from the pressure.
"Finally."
I looked at her and said.
"Like I said, once we clean up Club Shandai, you don't have to stay with Headhunter anymore."
She replied.
"There's no need for me to stay, right?"
True enough. Coldly speaking, good luck finding talent like No-hun or Han Sang-ah anywhere else.
"If you have somewhere else to go, then go."
As we talked, something flew over. Potato chips. Salt and vinegar flavor.
Before I could say anything, another bag came flying. Onion flavor this time.
It was Jeong No-hun. He popped open a beer can one-handed like a pro and said.
"Give the salt and vinegar one to Han Sang-ah. She likes that flavor."
I glanced at her. She immediately chimed in.
"Potato chips are classic with salt and vinegar."
She opened the bag, and a pungent smell hit my nose. Well, if she likes it, who am I to complain.
"No word from Chairman Han Sang-cheol yet?"
She nodded.
"He's probably busy with the money stuff right now."
"Money stuff? What money?"
She licked sauce off her fingers and answered.
"Headhunter's value. Sorry to the relatives eyeing his position, but the money we've brought Geumyang Group will be several times what they could offer."
Having one Headhunter like Han Sang-ah skyrocketed Geumyang Group's brand value. No advertising needed.
"Even the Playchip Hotel where we stayed is selling packages based on the courses we played."
"They sell?"
I remembered it being ridiculously expensive. She nodded.
"Korea has plenty of rich people."
As we chatted, Incheon Port came into view in the distance.
"Look at all those people."
Even from this far, Jeong No-hun could gauge the crowd size at the port. The guy's eyesight is insane.
"I see President Jo Won-hoon and some government officials. Pretty ladies holding wreaths and waiting..."
He glanced at Han Sang-ah.
"No handsome guys, though. Must suck for you."
"Why would it? They're not here to pick me."
Jeong No-hun leaned against the bow railing with a sigh.
"Man, what a floral welcome. They should've made the wreaths out of cash bouquets instead."
As we each made our quips, the ship began docking at Incheon Port. The massive crowd erupted in cheers all at once, backed by an orchestra blasting triumphant music.
"Feels good."
Han Sang-ah nodded at Jeong No-hun's words. After all that hellish work, this kind of reception hits different. Can't help but feel moved.
"Told you, heroes' return. Just smile and wave a little, and they'll lose their minds."
I said it flatly. After all these years, cheers and orchestras don't move me anymore.
What really occupied my mind was the conversation waiting with Jo Won-hoon.
He's definitely changed his stance. We're not the kind of people a Korean president can touch lightly anymore.
The ship docked fully, and we disembarked slowly. A red carpet was laid out at the exit.
Swarming reporters flashed cameras wildly, snapping pics of the ten of us stepping off.
All ten of us had plenty of experience with crowds, so we handled it smoothly. As for me, once I pushed through the waves of greetings and reached the waiting room, someone approached immediately.
"A speech, right."
Damn, another speech? If I keep giving these, I'll end up writing some half-assed self-help book, touring around preaching garbage to crowds like a con artist.
'48,756 Rules for Successful Hunters.''Never Do This! Advice from a Nobody Hunter to the Next Generation.'
Something lame like that.
"Yes. The government has prepared remarks."
I checked the speech they handed me.
In one sentence: Korea is invincible, hunters are gods.
"Not the message I want to send."
The guy looked troubled.
"But it's too late to draft a new one tailored to what Yoo Chan-seok Hunter wants."
"No need. I have something in mind. I'll just use that."
His anxiety was obvious.
"Pardon my saying so, but I watched the video you posted through the Hunter Association before."
Ah, the one where I roasted that video creator who picked a fight with me. I smiled gently and shook my head.
"No need to worry about that."
I don't have to push hard. He can't stop me anyway.
If I raised my voice even a little here, it might scare him into pissing his pants.
After some hesitation, he replied.
"It's not a decision I can make alone..."
I nodded readily. Can't be helped. He's just a civil servant. They can't decide on their own; they need approval from above.
And that approval goes up the chain, eventually to Jo Won-hoon. I could call him directly, but no need.
Let the guy do his job.
"Understood. I'll wait."
The civil servant returned surprisingly fast with approval.
"It's approved. But considering the current positive mood in Korea, please tone down the speech content appropriately."
"Got it."
Time came. I stood up. God, I hope this is my last speech ever.
At the podium, I looked out at the crowd and began.
"First, I want to sincerely thank the brave soldiers of the Republic of Korea forces who endured hardships alongside us in China, and the ROK Forces Command in China. Without their noble courage and sacrifice, the Gonsalok subjugation would not have succeeded."
This was non-negotiable. They're civilians with no power against monsters. Guns don't even kill them. Yet they followed us to China and went through hell.
"I'm a hunter standing here speaking, but I firmly believe everyone who carried out this massive operation with us deserves to be on this stage."
I started simply, paused in silence, then continued.
"The people of the Republic of Korea supported us with their efforts and sacrifices. The foundation to raise powerful hunters, and unwavering aid for those in the field, led to this golden achievement of subjugating the Gonsalok. But."
That's not the point. I have something else to say.
"As far as I know, Korea is the only place stable enough to even use the word 'nation' right now. And while we've huddled in safety, the monsters in the Erosion Zones have been preparing."
We just toughed it out without addressing the root cause, thinking it was good enough.
"It's like having a sick body and just endlessly pumping painkillers instead of treating it. And Korea nearly met its end."
No one can deny it. If I hadn't made the snap decision, teleported to Seoul, and stopped it, at least Seoul would've been obliterated.
For a person, that's like your heart exploding.
"Fortunately, the bold decision of the ROK Forces China Commander and the swift cooperation of other hunters got us through the crisis, but we all need to learn from this."
If you spend time watching your neighbor's house burn, eventually the fire spreads to yours. Regretting it then is too late.